The Reserve Bank of India issued the Small Finance Banks (Undertaking of Financial Services) Amendment Directions, 2026 under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The amendment updates the 2025 Directions by adding “AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises” to Annex I, thereby permitting Small Finance Banks to engage in financing agricultural startups and rural enterprises. This regulatory change takes immediate effect and aims to enhance rural credit flow, promote innovation in agriculture, and strengthen financial inclusion. It reflects RBI’s broader policy objective of aligning specialised banking institutions with development-focused and agri-driven economic growth initiatives across rural India.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/20
DOR.STR.REC.24/21-04-048/2026-27 | Dated: April 27, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) – Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Directions’).
2. On a review, and in exercise of the powers conferred by section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
3. The Amendment Directions modifies the Directions as under:
(1) Following shall be added to Annex I:
“2. AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises”
4. The above amendment shall come into force with immediate effect.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
